Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Pray for El Salvador on Sunday, July 24th

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It is once again time to pray for our mission partners in El Salvador. The people of El Salvador face hard realities every day, yet our mission partners, the Salvadoran Lutheran Church and the Emmanuel Baptist Church, constantly put forth efforts to serve those who need it the most. Let us keep both these realities and these efforts in our hearts and our minds as we pray for El Salvador this Sunday. You may include this prayer in a worship service or your own personal prayer time. You will also find a stewardship moment to help reflect on our partnership. I thank everyone for your continued support of this mission, for your efforts, and most importantly, for your prayers.

We have found a hidden treasure in El Salvador. In a country known for its violence, poverty, and struggling families, we have found a pearl of great value. We see women and men of faith who commit themselves to serve those in deepest need. We see projects to offer something greater for youth in high risk, to provide basic needs to people living on the street, and to train families to find sustenance in sustainable agriculture. We see a testament to the growth of the small seed as the Salvadoran Lutheran Church celebrates twenty-five years under the leadership of its bishop, Medardo Gómez, and in the Emmanuel Baptist Church as they walk in solidarity with the people of El Salvador.

We ask that you be with these projects of love, O Lord, that they may continue to flourish. Plant the seed in each of us, that we may grow in our commitment to serve. Help us to see this treasure more clearly, to value it so much that we would give up everything to take part in it. Unite us, O Lord, in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ,

Amen

Mission Stewardship Moment from El Salvador:

As the Lutheran Church of El Salvador prepares for the 25th Anniversary since the installation of Medardo Gómez as its bishop, Don Medardo took a break from his busy schedule to participate in the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Nashville Tennessee. He reported on his experience at a gathering of pastors earlier this week, saying that the Disciples of Christ, as well as the United Church of Christ, represents the salvation of the United States. This is not a salvation we can find in governments or businesses, but in the manifestation of Christ on earth, Christ's church. Inspired by the Assembly, Gómez then encouraged his pastoral team to represent the salvation of El Salvador. Before I came to El Salvador two years ago, leaders at Global Ministries told me how much they were inspired by Medardo Gómez and the Lutheran Church with their leadership and commitment to justice.

This historic partnership of mutual inspiration goes back to the eighties, the height of the civil war. Global Ministries had sent a missionary to protect Gómez during this time of deep persecution for many religious leaders. Since then, our churches continue to learn from each other and grow. I feel grateful to know that as the Disciples of Christ and the United Church of Christ support the efforts of the Salvadoran Lutheran Church, the Lutheran Church equally supports our efforts back home.

Some current projects of the Lutheran Church of El Salvador include:

The Love and Solidarity Project (also known as the
Casa Esperanza), which provides a daily meal and a place to relax and bathe for people living on the street.

The Fight Against Hunger Project, which trains families in several churches to raise chickens and grow crops in organic, sustainable ways.

Health and Healing, which focuses on the education and prevention of HIV and AIDS, and the acceptance of those who have been infected.